Visual focus-based control of coupled displays

ABSTRACT

Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling functionality of a display based on visual focus of a user in a multiple display or multiple computational device environment. A particular display from a set of displays on which a user is visually focused is identified. The set of displays includes at least a first display and a second display. Moreover, a type of input receivable from the user via the first display and/or content rendered on the first display is controlled based on the visual focus of the user.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/249,239, filed on Sep. 30, 2011, and entitled “VISUAL FOCUS-BASEDCONTROL OF COUPLED DISPLAYS”, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Computational devices oftentimes interface with a display. For instance,a computational device can be coupled with a display and/or include adisplay. A conventional user experience typically involved acomputational device outputting content on a single display, which canbe viewable by a user. Eventually, use of multiple display environments,where a plurality of displays run on a single computational device,became more prevalent. Employing the plurality of displays with thecomputational device increases the display real estate on which contentcan be rendered by the computational device. According to anillustration, the computational device can render content associatedwith a word processing application on one display, and contentassociated with a spreadsheet application on another display.

A more recent trend is the interaction of multiple computational deviceswith each other to support a user experience across the displaysrespectively associated with such computational devices (e.g., amultiple computational device environment). According to an example, auser can watch a television program in her living room on a televisionthat is coupled to a media center and can change the channel, volume, orthe like using an application that is executed on her smartphone.However, as the number of displays employed as part of a multipledisplay or multiple computational device environment increases,functionality of some of the displays may be inefficiently unutilized orunderutilized by the user. For instance, when functionality of onedisplay in a multiple display or multiple computational deviceenvironment is employed by the user, functionality of another displaymay be unused or underused by the user.

SUMMARY

Described herein are various technologies that pertain to using visualfocus of a user to control display functionality. Visual focusinformation, which specifies a particular display from a set of displayson which the user is visually focused, can be received. The set ofdisplays can include at least a first display and a second display.According to some embodiments, the first display and the second displaycan respectively interface with a first computational device and asecond computational device, and the first computational device and thesecond computational device can interact. In other embodiments, thefirst display and the second display can interface with a sharedcomputation device. Further, the type of input that the first display isconfigured to receive from the user can be controlled based on thevisual focus information. Additionally or alternatively, contentrendered on the first display can be controlled based on the visualfocus information.

In various embodiments, a visual focus of the user can be identified asbeing on the first display or on the second display. For instance, thefirst display can be a touch enabled display. Moreover, the visual focusof the user can be identified from received visual focus information orthrough detection by using an output of a sensor. Further, contentrendered on the first display and a type of input that can be receivablefrom the user can be controlled based on whether the visual focus of theuser is on the first display or the second display.

The above summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide abasic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methodsdiscussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of thesystems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/ormethods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplifiedform as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presentedlater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary systemthat controls functionality of a display using visual focus in anenvironment that includes multiple displays.

FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary systemthat controls content rendered and/or a type of input receivable via adisplay based on the visual focus of a user.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate an exemplary scenario showing employment of asystem that controls display functionality based on visual focus in anenvironment that includes multiple displays.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate an exemplary scenario showing utilization of asystem that controls content rendered on a display based on visual focusin an environment that includes multiple displays.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram that illustrates an exemplary methodology forcontrolling functionality of a first display.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram that illustrates an exemplary methodology forcontrolling a touch enabled display in an environment that includesmultiple displays.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various technologies pertaining to controlling functionality of adisplay based upon visual focus of a user in an environment thatincludes multiple displays are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident,however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or moreaspects. Further, it is to be understood that functionality that isdescribed as being carried out by certain system components may beperformed by multiple components. Similarly, for instance, a componentmay be configured to perform functionality that is described as beingcarried out by multiple components.

Moreover, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom the context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean anyof the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase “X employs Aor B” is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; Xemploys B; or X employs both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and“an” as used in this application and the appended claims shouldgenerally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwiseor clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.

As set forth herein, visual focus of a user can be detected and utilizedto control functionality of a display in a multiple display or multiplecomputational device environment, collectively referred to herein as anenvironment that includes multiple displays. For instance, a set ofdisplays can be coupled in an environment that includes multipledisplays. Further, content rendered on the display can be changed basedon whether the visual focus of the user is on the display or on adifferent display. Additionally or alternatively, a type of input thatcan be receivable from the user via the display can be varied based onwhether the visual focus of the user is on the display or on a disparatedisplay.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 thatcontrols functionality of a display using visual focus in an environmentthat includes multiple displays. The system 100 includes a first display102 and a second display 104. The first display 102 is controlled as afunction of a visual focus of the user 106. It is further contemplatedthat the second display 104 can be controlled as a function of thevisual focus of the user 106; however, it is to be appreciated that theclaimed subject matter is not so limited. While the system 100 isdepicted as including two displays, it is to be appreciated that thesystem 100 can include substantially any number of displays in additionto the first display 102 and the second display 104.

In various embodiments described herein, the first display 102 is atouch enabled display (e.g., where an input is receivable by the firstdisplay 102). According to such embodiments, the touch enabled displaycan receive an input from the user 106 and render an output to the user106. For instance, the touch enabled display can receive an input fromthe user 106 by detecting touches (e.g., by a finger, a tool thatapplies pressure such as a pen, etc.), gestures, and so forth. Moreover,in other embodiments described herein, the first display 102 can be atouch enabled display or a non-touch enabled display. A non-touchenabled display, for instance, can render an output to the user 106while lacking functionality for receiving an input from the user 106.Similarly, it is contemplated that the second display 104 is a touchenabled display in some embodiments and can be a touch enabled displayor a non-touch enabled display in other embodiments.

Moreover, a first computational device 108 interfaces with the firstdisplay 102 in the system 100. The first computational device 108 caninterface with the first display 102 to output data (e.g., renderimages, text, graphics, etc.) via the first display 102. Further, thefirst computational device 108 can interface with the first display 102to receive an input via the first display 102. For example, the firstcomputational device 108 can be coupled with the first display 102.Following this example, the first display 102 can be an external displaythat can be connected directly or indirectly with the firstcomputational device 108 (e.g., via wired and/or wirelessconnection(s)). According to another example, the first computationaldevice 108 can comprise the first display 102. In accordance with thisexample, the first computational device 108 can be a tablet computer, alaptop computer, a smartphone, or any other type of computational devicewith an integrated display. The system 100 can further include a secondcomputational device 110 that interfaces with the second display 104 tooutput data via the second display 104, receive an input via the seconddisplay 104, etc. Similar to the foregoing description related to thefirst computational device 108 interfacing with the first display 102,the second computational device 110 can be coupled with or include thesecond display 104. Alternatively, although not shown, in accordancewith various embodiments, it is contemplated that the system 100 neednot include the second computational device 110, and accordingly, thefirst computational device 108 can interface with the second display 104as well as the first display 102.

Further, the first computational device 108 can interact with the secondcomputational device 110. For instance, the first computational device108 and the second computational device 110 can interact via wirelessand/or wired connections. Interaction between the first computationaldevice 108 and the second computational device 110 can refer to sharinginput functionality of display(s) respectively interfaced therewithand/or output functionality of display(s) respectively interfacedtherewith (e.g., the first display 102 can be utilized as a peripheralfor the second display 104, the first display 102 can provide touchbased input functionality while the second display 104 may include orlack such functionality, the first display 102 can extend a desktop ofthe second display 104, etc.). Additionally or alternatively,interaction between the first computational device 108 and the secondcomputational device 110 can refer to sharing contextual informationthere between, where the shared contextual information can relate toapplications respectively executed by the first computational device 108and the second computational device 110. Moreover, it is to beappreciated that interaction between the first computational device 108and the second computational device 110 can refer to other types ofresource sharing.

The first computational device 108 can further include a firstcollaboration component 112, and the second computational device 110 canfurther include a second collaboration component 114. The firstcollaboration component 112 and the second collaboration component 114enable the first computational device 108 and the second computationaldevice 110 to interact. By way of example, the first collaborationcomponent 112 and the second collaboration component 114 can cooperateon a single context for the user 106 across the first computationaldevice 108 and the second computational device 110. In accordance with afurther example, the first collaboration component 112 can receiveinstructions for rendering content on the first display 102 from thesecond collaboration component 114. According to another illustration,the first collaboration component 112 can send input related datareceived from the user 106 via the first display 102 to the secondcollaboration component 114.

Moreover, the system 100 includes a sensor 116 that monitors anenvironment 118. For instance, the user 106 can be in the environment118 monitored by the sensor 116. As depicted in FIG. 1, the sensor 116can be a stand-alone device. However, it is contemplated that the sensor116 additionally or alternatively can be included in the first display102, the second display 104, the first computational device 108, and/orthe second computational device 110 (e.g., the first computationaldevice 108 can be a tablet computer that includes a camera, the secondcomputational device 110 can be a laptop computer that includes acamera, etc.). According to an example, the sensor 116 can be a camera.By way of further example, the sensor 116 can be a plurality of cameras.Following this example, the plurality of cameras can be pervasive in theenvironment 118. For instance, outputs from the plurality of cameras canbe combined to create a single representation of the environment 118;however, the claimed subject matter is not limited to employing aplurality of cameras or creating a single representation of theenvironment 118 from outputs of a plurality of cameras. Moreover, it isalso to be appreciated that the sensor 116 can include any other type ofinput device, in addition to or instead of camera(s), that monitors theenvironment 118 and provides output that can be utilized to detect avisual focus of the user 106.

The system 100 further includes a focus tracking component 120 thatdetects visual focus information related to the user 106 from the outputof the sensor 116. The visual focus information detected by the focustracking component 120 can be inputted to the first computational device108 and the second computational device 110. By way of example, thefocus tracking component 120 can analyze output from the sensor 116 todetect whether visual focus of the user 106 is on the first display 102(e.g., represented by dotted line 122) or the second display 104 (e.g.,represented by dotted line 124). The visual focus information generatedby the focus tracking component 120 can specify a particular displayfrom a set of displays on which the user 106 is visually focused. Thus,for instance, the visual focus information can specify that the user 106is visually focused on either the first display 102 or on the seconddisplay 104 from the set of displays (e.g., the set of displays includesthe first display 102 and the second display 104 in the example shown inFIG. 1). According to another example, the visual focus informationdetected by the focus tracking component 120 can specify that the user106 is visually focused on or off a particular display. Following thisexample, the visual focus information inputted to the firstcomputational device 108 can indicate that the user 106 is visuallyfocused on or off the first display 102 (e.g., the user 106 beingvisually focused off the first display 102 can include when the user 106is visually focused on the second display 104 as well as when the user106 is visually focused on neither the first display 102 nor the seconddisplay 104).

The focus tracking component 120 can employ substantially any trackingtechnique on the output from the sensor 116 to generate the visual focusinformation. Examples of possible tracking techniques that can beutilized by the focus tracking component 120 include eye tracking, headtracking, and movement tracking; however, it is to be appreciated thatthe claimed subject matter is not limited to the foregoing examples, andother tracking techniques are intended to fall within the scope of thehereto appended claims. Moreover, the focus tracking component 120 canemploy information that identifies relative locations of the firstdisplay 102 and the second display 104 for detecting the visual focusinformation.

According to an example, the focus tracking component 120 can employ eyetracking on the output from the sensor 116 to produce the visual focusinformation (e.g., tracked eye focus of the user 106). Following thisexample, the focus tracking component 120 can measure eye positionand/or eye movement to detect a point of gaze of the user 106 (e.g.,where the user 106 is looking). Thus, the focus tracking component 120can track whether the point of gaze of the user 106 is on a particulardisplay (e.g., on the first display 102, second display 104, etc.) oroff the first display 102 as well as the second display 104. Further,the focus tracking component 120 can track a location where the point ofgaze of the user 106 is on the particular display, a duration of timethat the point of gaze of the user 106 has been at the location, aduration of time that the point of gaze of the user 106 has been on theparticular display, and so forth.

The focus tracking component 120 can also compare a duration of timethat the visual focus of the user 106 is on a particular display to aminimum threshold duration of time, for example. According to anillustration, the visual focus of the user 106 can shift from the seconddisplay 104 to the first display 102, remain on the first display 102for a duration of time that is less than the minimum threshold durationof time, and then shift from the first display 102 back to the seconddisplay 104. Following this illustration, since the duration of timethat the visual focus remained on the first display 102 is less than theminimum threshold duration of time, the focus tracking component 120 caninhibit switching the visual focus information to specify that thevisual focus of the user 106 changed to being on the first display 102.Alternatively, if the duration of time that the visual focus remained onthe first display 102 exceeded the minimum threshold duration of time inthe above-noted illustration, then the focus tracking component 120 canoutput visual focus information that specifies that the visual focus ofthe user 106 changed to being on the first display 102 and thereafterchanged back to being on the second display 104. It is to beappreciated, however, that the claimed subject matter is not limited tothe foregoing illustration.

As shown in FIG. 1, the focus tracking component 120 can be separatefrom the sensor 116; yet, according to another example, the sensor 116can include the focus tracking component 120. In accordance with anotherexample, the first computational device 108 and/or the secondcomputational device 110 can include the focus tracking component 120.For instance, if the first computational device 108 includes the focustracking component 120, then the visual focus information generatedthereby can be transmitted by the first collaboration component 112 tothe second computational device 110 (e.g., the second collaborationcomponent 114) (or vice versa). Moreover, if both the firstcomputational device 108 and the second computational device 110 includethe focus tracking component 120, then the first collaboration component112 and the second collaboration component 114 can cooperate to generatethe visual focus information.

The first computational device 108 and the second computational device110 can receive the visual focus information from the focus trackingcomponent 120, for example; however, it is also contemplated that thesecond computational device 110 need not receive the visual focusinformation. Moreover, the first computational device 108 includes acontrol component 126 that controls the first display 102 based upon thevisual focus information received from the focus tracking component 120.The control component 126 can control a type of input that can bereceivable from the user 106 via the first display 102 as a function ofthe visual focus information. Additionally or alternatively, the controlcomponent 126 can control content rendered on the first display 102 as afunction of the visual focus information. The control component 126 canchange the type of input that can be receivable via the first display102 and/or the content presented via the first display 102 as the visualfocus of the user 106 changes. Thus, the control component 126 can alterfunctionality of the first display 102 based on where the user 106 isgazing.

The following exemplary scenario is presented to illustrate operation ofthe control component 126. It is to be appreciated, however, that theclaimed subject matter is not limited to the below exemplary scenario.According to this scenario, the second computational device 110 canexecute a primary application and the first computational device 108 canexecute a companion application that complements the primary applicationexecuted by the second computational device 110. When the controlcomponent 126 receives visual focus information that specifies that theuser 106 is visually focused on the first display 102 (e.g., representedby dotted line 122), then the first display 102 can be optimized for thecompanion application. Alternatively, when the control component 126receives visual focus information that specifies that the user 106 isvisually focused on the second display 104 (or off the display 102, on adisparate display (not shown), etc.), then the first display 102 can beoptimized for the primary application. Further, the control component126 can cause the first display 102 to transition between beingoptimized for the companion application and the primary application asthe visual focus information is varied.

Below is an illustration of the foregoing exemplary scenario. Forinstance, a television program can be rendered on the second display 104by the second computational device 110 executing the primaryapplication, and the companion application executed by the firstcomputational device 108 can relate to a program guide. Accordingly,when the control component 126 receives visual focus information thatspecifies that the user 106 is visually focused on the first display 102(e.g., represented by the dotted line 122), then the first display 102can be optimized for the program guide (e.g., the first display 102 canrender content related to the program guide, the first display 102 canbe configured to receive input related to the program guide, etc.). Byway of example, the first display 102 can render rich metadata about thetelevision program being rendered on the second display 104, the type ofinput receivable from the user 106 can permit detailed manipulation ofthe program guide (e.g., selecting a particular channel rendered on thefirst display 102), and so forth. Moreover, when the control component126 receives visual focus information that specifies that the user 106is visually focused on the second display 104 (e.g., represented by thedotted line 124), then the first display 102 can be optimized for thetelevision program (e.g., the first display 102 can be configured toreceive input related to watching the television program on the seconddisplay 104). For example, the type of input receivable from the user106 via the first display 102 can be gross gestures that can cause achannel to be changed, a volume level to be adjusted, or the like.

Moreover, context-sensitive content can be rendered on the first display102. For instance, the first collaboration component 112 can receivecontextual information related to the second display 104 (or the secondcomputational device 110) from the second collaboration component 114.The contextual information can pertain to where the user 106 was lastinteracting; however, the claimed subject matter is not so limited. Thefirst collaboration component 112 (and/or the control component 126) canidentify the content to be rendered on the first display 102 as afunction of the contextual information related to the second display 104when the visual focus information received thereby specifies that theuser 106 is visually focused on the first display 102. Further, thecontrol component 126 can render the content identified as a function ofthe contextual information on the first display 102 when the visualfocus information specifies that the user is visually focused on thefirst display 102.

Pursuant to a further example, the second computational device 110 canlack a control component similar to the control component 126 asdepicted in FIG. 1. According to an illustration, the first display 102can be a touch enabled display of a tablet computer (e.g., the firstcomputational device 108) and the second display 104 can be an externaldisplay of a desktop computer (e.g., the second computational device110). Following this illustration, it is contemplated that functionalityof the touch enabled display can be varied by the control component 126as a function of the visual focus information, while functionality ofthe external display can remain static regardless of the visual focusinformation. Yet, the claimed subject matter is not limited to theabove-noted illustration.

According to another example, although not shown, it is contemplatedthat the second computational device 110 can include a control componentsimilar to the control component 126 of the first computational device108. Such control component of the second computational device 110 cancontrol the second display 104 based upon the visual focus informationreceived from the focus tracking component 120. Accordingly, similar tothe control of the first display 102 by the control component 126, atype of input that can be receivable from the user 106 via the seconddisplay 104 and/or the content rendered on the second display 104 can becontrolled by a control component of the second computational device110. By way of another illustration, both the first display 102 and thesecond display 104 can be touch enabled displays of respective tabletcomputers (e.g., the first computational device 108 and the secondcomputational device 110). Pursuant to this illustration, thefunctionality of the first display 102 and the second display 104 can bevaried respectively by the control component 126 and the controlcomponent (not shown) of the second computational device 110 based onthe visual focus information. Again, it is noted that the claimedsubject matter is not limited to the foregoing illustration.

Although FIG. 1 depicts that the system 100 includes two computationaldevices (e.g., the first computational device 108 and the secondcomputational device 110) respectively interfaced with two displays(e.g., the first display 102 and the second display 104), where the twocomputational devices interact with each other, it is to be appreciatedthat the system 100 can include more than two displays and/or one ormore computational devices (e.g., the system 100 can need not includethe second computational device 110). By way of example (not shown), thesystem 100 can include a third display and a third computational device.Following this example, the third computational device can interfacewith the third display. Moreover, the third computational device caninteract with the first computational device 108 and the secondcomputational device 110. Pursuant to yet another example (not shown),the system 100 additionally or alternatively can include a fourthdisplay. According to this example, either the first computationaldevice 108 or the second computational device 110 can interface with thefourth display; thus, more than two displays can be driven by a sharedcomputational device. By way of illustration pursuant to this example,the first computational device 108 can interface with the first display102 and the fourth display. Thus, the control component 126 can controlthe first display 102 and the fourth display based on the visual focusinformation received from the focus tracking component 120.

With reference to FIG. 2, illustrated is a system 200 that controlscontent rendered and/or a type of input receivable via a display 202based on the visual focus of a user. The system 200 includes a display202 and a disparate display 204 (e.g., the first display 102 and thesecond display 104 of FIG. 1), which are included in a set of displays206. According to an example, the display 202 and the disparate display204 can interface with disparate computational devices (e.g., the firstcomputational device 108 and the second computational device 110 of FIG.1, respectively), where the disparate computational devices interactwith each other. Pursuant to another example, the display 202 and thedisparate display 204 can interface with a shared computational device(e.g., the first computational device 108 of FIG. 1 can interface withboth the display 202 and the disparate display 204).

Moreover, the system 200 includes the control component 126, whichreceives visual focus information 208 (e.g., from the focus trackingcomponent 120 of FIG. 1). The visual focus information 208 can specify aparticular display from the set of displays 206 on which a user (e.g.,the user 106 of FIG. 1) is visually focused. The control component 126controls the display 202 based upon the visual focus information 208.Moreover, the control component 126 can also control the disparatedisplay 204 if the display 202 and the disparate display 204 interfacewith a shared computational device. Although not shown, it is to beappreciated that a computational device (e.g., the first computationaldevice 108 of FIG. 1) can include the control component 126; however,the claimed subject matter is not so limited.

The control component 126 can further include a content managementcomponent 210 and an input management component 212. The contentmanagement component 210 controls content rendered on display 202 as afunction of the visual focus information 208. Further, the inputmanagement component 212 controls a type of input receivable from theuser via the display 202 as a function of the visual focus information208. Moreover, the content management component 210 and the inputmanagement component 212 can similarly control the content rendered onthe disparate display 204 and the type of input receivable from the uservia the disparate display 204 as a function of the visual focusinformation 208 if the display 202 and disparate display 204 interfacewith a shared computational device.

According to an example, the content management component 210 cancontrol the display 202 to selectively render or inhibit rendering ofthe content based on the visual focus information 208. Following thisexample, the content management component 210 can render the content onthe display 202 when the visual focus information 208 specifies that theuser is visually focused on the display 202. Alternatively, the contentmanagement component 210 can inhibit rendering of the content on thedisplay 202 when the visual focus information 208 specifies that theparticular display from the set of displays 206 on which the user isvisually focused differs from the display 202 (e.g., the visual focusinformation 208 specifies that the user is visually focused on thedisparate display 204 or a different display (not shown) in the set ofdisplays 206).

By way of another example, the content management component 210 cancontrol the display 202 by selecting a granularity of the contentrendered on the display 202 as a function of the visual focusinformation 208. Further, the content management component 210 canrender the content on the display 202 with the selected granularity. Forinstance, the granularity of the content rendered on the display 202 canbe more detailed when the visual focus information 208 specifies thatthe user is visually focused on the display 202. Moreover, thegranularity of the content rendered on the display 202 can be lessdetailed when the visual focus information 208 specifies that theparticular display from the set of displays 206 on which the user isvisually focused differs from the display 202 (e.g., the visual focusinformation 208 specifies that the user is visually focused on thedisparate display 204 or a different display (not shown) in the set ofdisplays 206). According to an illustration, the less detailed contentcan be utilized to convey information or capture the visual focus of theuser when the display 202 is in the peripheral vision of the user (e.g.,a part of the vision that occurs outside the center of gaze).

Moreover, the content management component 210 can render content on thedisplay 202 that relates to content rendered on the disparate display204 when the visual focus information 208 specifies that the user isvisually focused on the display 202. For instance, the content renderedon the display 202 by the content management component 210 can be thecontent rendered on the disparate display 204, a differing view of thecontent rendered on the disparate display 204, metadata related to thecontent rendered on the disparate display 204, a property grid thatrelates to the content rendered on the disparate display 204 (e.g.,where a property in the property grid can be altered via input to thedisplay 202, etc.), and so forth. According to an illustration, a videocan be rendered on the disparate display 204 when the visual focusinformation 208 specifies that the user is visually focused on thedisparate display 204 (e.g., gross gestures can be inputted to thedisplay 202 to stop, start, skip backwards, skip forwards, etc.).Following this illustration, when the visual focus information 208specifies that the user is visually focused on the display 202, thecontent management component 210 can render specific frames of the videostream, slices of the video stream, or the like on the display 202.

Further, the input management component 212 can configure the display202 to receive various types of input as a function of the visual focusinformation 208. By way of illustration, as configured by the inputmanagement component 212, the type of input receivable from the user viathe display 202 can relate to the display 202 when the visual focusinformation 208 specifies that the user is visually focused on thedisplay 202. Alternatively, as configured by the input managementcomponent 212, the type of input receivable from the user via thedisplay 202 can relate to the disparate display 204 when the visualfocus information 208 specifies that the user is visually focused on thedisparate display 204.

Moreover, the input management component 212 can configure the display202 to receive different sets of input types based on the visual focusinformation 208. By way of illustration, a slideshow can be rendered onthe disparate display 204. When the visual focus information 208specifies that the user is visually focused on the disparate display204, the input management component 212 can configure the display 202 toreceive input related to moving the slideshow rendered on the disparatedisplay 204 forwards or backwards one slide. Further, when the visualfocus information 208 specifies that the user is visually focused on thedisplay 202, the input management component 212 can configure thedisplay 202 to receive input related to a larger set of types of inputs(e.g., move forwards or backwards one slide, select a slide from theslideshow to jump to, manipulate a slide carousel rendered on thedisplay 202, navigate notes rendered on the display 202, etc.). It is tobe appreciated, however, that the claimed subject matter is not limitedto the foregoing example.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate an exemplary scenario showing employment of asystem 300 that controls display functionality based on visual focus inan environment that includes multiple displays. As depicted in theexemplary scenario, the system 300 includes a touch enabled display 302(e.g., the first display 102 of FIG. 1, the display 202 of FIG. 2,etc.), a display 304 (e.g., the second display 104 of FIG. 1, thedisparate display 204 of FIG. 2, etc.), and a sensor 306 (e.g., thesensor 116 of FIG. 1). According to an example, the touch enableddisplay 302 can be included in a tablet computer, smartphone, or thelike, and the display 304 can be an external display of a desktopcomputer. By way of another example, the touch enabled display 302 andthe display 304 can interface with a shared computational device. Theexemplary scenario shows the functionality of the touch enabled display302 varying as a function of a visual focus of a user 308. Asillustrated in FIGS. 3-6, the touch enabled display 302 can switchbetween being a dedicated input device for the display 304 when the user308 is visually focused on the display 304 and being an input device andoutput device that renders content when the user 308 is visually focusedon the touch enabled display 302. It is to be appreciated that theexemplary scenario of FIGS. 3-6 is provided for illustration purposes,and it is not intended to limit the scope of the hereto appended claims.

As shown in FIG. 3, the user 308 is visually focused on the display 304(e.g., represented by the dotted line 310), which can be detected basedon output from the sensor 306. While the visual focus of the user 308 ison the display 304, the user 308 is shown to employ the touch enableddisplay 302. FIG. 4 shows another perspective of the system 300illustrated in FIG. 3. When the user 308 is detected to be visuallyfocused on the display 304 (e.g., on content rendered on the display304), the touch enabled display 302 is a dedicated input device. Forinstance, the touch enabled display 302 can receive touch based inputfrom the user 308, which can be utilized for manipulation, navigation,etc. of the content rendered on the display 304, when the user 308 isdetected to be visually focused on the display 304. As illustrated,content is inhibited from being rendered on the touch enabled display302 when visual focus of the user 308 is detected as being on thedisplay 304. According to another example (not shown), content can berendered on the touch enabled display 302 when visual focus of the user308 is detected to be on the display 304; however, the content renderedon the touch enabled display 302 when the visual focus of the user 308is detected as being on the display 304 can differ from the contentrendered on the touch enabled display 302 when the visual focus of theuser 308 is detected to be on the touch enabled display 302.

Now referring to FIG. 5, the user 308 is visually focused on the touchenabled display 302 (e.g., represented by the dotted line 502), whichcan be detected based on output from the sensor 306. The user 308 isdepicted as utilizing the touch enabled display 302 while visuallyfocusing on the touch enabled display 302. FIG. 6 shows anotherperspective of the system 300 illustrated in FIG. 5. When the user 308is detected to be visually focused on the touch enabled display 302, thetouch enabled display 302 renders content. Further, when the user 308 isdetected as being visually focused on the touch enabled display 302, thetouch enabled display 302 can receive touch based input from the user308, which can be employed for manipulation, navigation, etc. of thecontent rendered on the touch enabled display 302.

According to an example, the user 308 can be visually focused on thedisplay 304 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. While the visual focus of theuser 308 is on the display 304, content is rendered on the display 304and the touch enabled display 302 can be utilized by the user 308 tomanipulate the content rendered on the display 304. If the user 308alters her visual focus to the touch enabled display 302, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, then the touch enabled display 302 can render contentthat relates to a property of the content rendered on the display 304.Further, the property of the content rendered on the display 304 can bemanipulated based on input received via the touch enabled display 302while the visual focus of the user 308 remains on the touch enableddisplay 302. Thereafter, the user 308 can return her visual focus to thedisplay 304 as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, and a manifestation of theproperty as manipulated can be displayed on the display 304.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate an exemplary scenario showing utilization of asystem 700 that controls content rendered on a display based on visualfocus in an environment that includes multiple displays. The exemplaryscenario shows that the system 700 includes a display 702, a display704, and a display 706 (e.g., collectively referred to as the displays702-706). According to an example, different computational devices canrespectively interface with the display 702, the display 704, and thedisplay 706 (e.g., computational device A can interface with the display702, computational device B can interface with the display 704, andcomputational device C can interface with the display 706), and thecomputational devices can interact with each other. By way of anotherexample, a computational device A can interface with two of the displays702-706 and a computational device B can interface with the remainingone of the displays 702-706, where the computational device A and thecomputational device B interact. The exemplary scenario depicts thecontent rendered on the display 702 and the display 706 varying as afunction of a visual focus of a user 710. Although not shown, it iscontemplated that the content rendered on the display 704 can similarlyvary based on the visual focus of the user 710. It is to be appreciated,however, that the exemplary scenario of FIGS. 7-8 is provided forillustration purposes, and the claimed subject matter is not so limited.

As shown in FIG. 7, the user 710 is visually focused on the display 702(e.g., as represented by the dotted line 712), which can be detectedbased on output from the sensor 708. Moreover, in FIG. 8, the user 710is visually focused on the display 706 (e.g., as represented by thedotted line 802), which can be detected based on output from the sensor708. FIGS. 7 and 8 depict content rendered by the display 702 and thedisplay 706 changing as a function of the visual focus of the user 710.More particularly, the content rendered on the display 702 can be moredetailed when the visual focus of the user 710 is on the display 702(e.g., shown in FIG. 7) as compared to when the visual focus of the user710 is on the display 706 (e.g., shown in FIG. 8). Similarly, thecontent rendered on the display 706 can be more detailed when the visualfocus of the user 710 is on the display 706 (e.g., shown in FIG. 8) ascompared to when the visual focus of the user 710 is on the display 702(e.g., shown in FIG. 7).

According to an example, content rendered on a display can become lessdetailed as the visual focus of the user 710 moves away from thedisplay. Similarly, content rendered on a display can become moredetailed (e.g., condensed, etc.) as the visual focus of the user 710moves towards the display. Further, the less detailed content can beemployed to convey information or capture the visual focus of the userwhen a display is in the peripheral vision of the user 710. By way ofanother example, the less detailed content rendered on a display locatedin the peripheral vision of the user 710 can be a color presented on thedisplay; however, the claimed subject matter is not so limited.

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate exemplary methodologies relating to visualfocus-based control of coupled displays. While the methodologies areshown and described as being a series of acts that are performed in asequence, it is to be understood and appreciated that the methodologiesare not limited by the order of the sequence. For example, some acts canoccur in a different order than what is described herein. In addition,an act can occur concurrently with another act. Further, in someinstances, not all acts may be required to implement a methodologydescribed herein.

Moreover, the acts described herein may be computer-executableinstructions that can be implemented by one or more processors and/orstored on a computer-readable medium or media. The computer-executableinstructions can include a routine, a sub-routine, programs, a thread ofexecution, and/or the like. Still further, results of acts of themethodologies can be stored in a computer-readable medium, displayed ona display device, and/or the like.

FIG. 9 illustrates a methodology 900 for controlling functionality of afirst display. At 902, visual focus information that specifies aparticular display from a set of displays on which a user is visuallyfocused can be received. The set of displays can comprise at least thefirst display and a second display. Further, a first computationaldevice can interface with the first display and a second computationaldevice can interface with the second display. Moreover, the firstcomputational device can interact with the second computational device.According to an example, the visual focus information that specifies theparticular display from the set of displays on which the user isvisually focused can be detected from an output of a sensor. By way ofillustration, the visual focus information can be detected by performingeye tracking, head tracking, movement tracking, or the like on theoutput of the sensor.

At 902, at least one of a type of input receivable from the user via thefirst display or content rendered on the first display can be controlledas a function of the visual focus information. By way of example, thecontent can be rendered on the first display when the visual focusinformation specifies that the user is visually focused on the firstdisplay, and rendering of the content can be inhibited on the firstdisplay when the visual focus information specifies that the particulardisplay from the set of displays on which the user is visually focuseddiffers from the first display. Pursuant to another example, agranularity of the content rendered on the first display can be selectedas a function of the visual focus information, and the content can berendered on the first display with the selected granularity. Followingthis example, the granularity of the content can be more detailed whenthe visual focus information specifies that the user is visually focusedon the first display and less detailed when the visual focus informationspecifies that the particular display from the set of displays on whichthe user is visually focused differs from the first display. Inaccordance with yet another example, the type of input receivable fromthe user via the first display can relate to the first display when thevisual focus information specifies that the user is visually focused onthe first display and the type of input receivable from the user via thefirst display can relate to the second display when the visual focusinformation specifies that the user is visually focused on the seconddisplay.

Pursuant to a further example, contextual information related to thesecond display can be received. Moreover, the content to be rendered onthe first display can be identified as a function of the contextualinformation related to the second display when the visual focusinformation specifies that the user is visually focused on the firstdisplay. Further, the content identified as a function of the contextualinformation can be rendered on the first display when the visual focusinformation specifies that the user is visually focused on the firstdisplay.

According to an example, it is contemplated that the set of displays canfurther comprise at least a third display. Following this example, athird computational device can interface with the third display.Moreover, the third computational device can interact with the firstcomputational device and the second computational device.

By way of yet another example, it is to be appreciated that the set ofdisplays can further comprise at least a fourth display. Pursuant tothis example, the first computational device or the second computationaldevice can interface with the fourth display.

It is also contemplated that the first computational device can executea companion application that complements a primary application executedby the second computational device. Further, the first display can beoptimized for the companion application when the visual focusinformation specifies that the user is visually focused on the firstdisplay. Moreover, the first display can be optimized for the primaryapplication when the visual focus information specifies that theparticular display from the set of displays on which the user isvisually focused differs from the first display.

In accordance with another example, the first display can be switchedbetween being a dedicated input device and being an input device and anoutput device that renders content. For instance, the first display canbe the dedicated input device for the second display when the visualfocus information specifies that the user is visually focused on thesecond display and can be the input device and the output device thatrenders the content when the visual focus information specifies that theuser is visually focused on the first display. Further, the firstdisplay can be a touch enabled display.

Pursuant to another example, the content can be rendered on the firstdisplay when the visual focus information specifies that the user isvisually focused on the first display. Following this example, thecontent rendered on the first display can relate to a property ofdisparate content rendered on the second display. Moreover, the propertyof the disparate content rendered on the second display can bemanipulated based on the input received via the first display when thevisual focus information specifies that the user is visually focused onthe first display. Accordingly, a manifestation of the property of thedisparate content as manipulated can be displayed on the second displaywhen the visual focus information specifies that the user is visuallyfocused on the second display.

With reference to FIG. 10, illustrated is a methodology 1000 forcontrolling a touch enabled display in an environment that includesmultiple displays. At 1002, a visual focus of a user can be identifiedas being on a first display. For instance, the first display can be atouch enabled display. Further, a first computational device caninterface with the first display and a second computational device caninterface with the second display. Moreover, the first computationaldevice can interact with the second computational device. Pursuant to anexample, the visual focus of the user can be identified as being on thefirst display from received visual focus information that specifies thevisual focus of the user. According to another example, the visual focusof the user can be identified as being on the first display by analyzingoutput from a sensor to detect the visual focus of the user.

At 1004, content can be rendered on the first display based on thevisual focus of the user being on the first display. At 1006, the firstdisplay can be configured, based on the visual focus of the user beingon the first display, to receive a first type of input that manipulatesthe content rendered on the first display. At 1008, switching of thevisual focus of the user to the second display can be identified. At1010, rendering of the content on the first display can be inhibitedbased on the visual focus of the user switching to the second display.At 1012, the first display can be configured, based on the visual focusof the user switching to the second display, to receive a second type ofinput that manipulates disparate content rendered on the second display.

According to an example, the visual focus of the user can be identifiedto return to the first display. Following this example, the content canbe rendered on the first display based on the visual focus of the userreturning to the first display. Moreover, the first display can beconfigured, based on the visual focus of the user returning to the firstdisplay, to receive the first type of input that manipulates the contentrendered on the first display.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a high-level illustration of an exemplarycomputing device 1100 that can be used in accordance with the systemsand methodologies disclosed herein is illustrated. For instance, thecomputing device 1100 may be used in a system that controls a type ofinput receivable from a user via a display based upon visual focus ofthe user. By way of another example, the computing device 1100 can beused in a system that controls content rendered on a display based uponthe visual focus of the user. The computing device 1100 includes atleast one processor 1102 that executes instructions that are stored in amemory 1104. The instructions may be, for instance, instructions forimplementing functionality described as being carried out by one or morecomponents discussed above or instructions for implementing one or moreof the methods described above. The processor 1102 may access the memory1104 by way of a system bus 1106. In addition to storing executableinstructions, the memory 1104 may also store visual focus information ofa user, content to be rendered on a display, information that identifiesrelative locations of displays, and so forth.

The computing device 1100 additionally includes a data store 1108 thatis accessible by the processor 1102 by way of the system bus 1106. Thedata store 1108 may include executable instructions, visual focusinformation of a user, content to be rendered on a display, informationthat identifies relative locations of displays, etc. The computingdevice 1100 also includes an input interface 1110 that allows externaldevices to communicate with the computing device 1100. For instance, theinput interface 1110 may be used to receive instructions from anexternal computer device, from a user, etc. The computing device 1100also includes an output interface 1112 that interfaces the computingdevice 1100 with one or more external devices. For example, thecomputing device 1100 may display text, images, etc. by way of theoutput interface 1112.

Additionally, while illustrated as a single system, it is to beunderstood that the computing device 1100 may be a distributed system.Thus, for instance, several devices may be in communication by way of anetwork connection and may collectively perform tasks described as beingperformed by the computing device 1100.

As used herein, the terms “component” and “system” are intended toencompass computer-readable data storage that is configured withcomputer-executable instructions that cause certain functionality to beperformed when executed by a processor. The computer-executableinstructions may include a routine, a function, or the like. It is alsoto be understood that a component or system may be localized on a singledevice or distributed across several devices.

Further, as used herein, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean“serving as an illustration or example of something.”

Various functions described herein can be implemented in hardware,software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, thefunctions can be stored on or transmitted over as one or moreinstructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readablemedia includes computer-readable storage media. A computer-readablestorage media can be any available storage media that can be accessed bya computer. By way of example, and not limitation, suchcomputer-readable storage media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM orother optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or storedesired program code in the form of instructions or data structures andthat can be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein,include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk, and blu-ray disc (BD), where disks usuallyreproduce data magnetically and discs usually reproduce data opticallywith lasers. Further, a propagated signal is not included within thescope of computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable media alsoincludes communication media including any medium that facilitatestransfer of a computer program from one place to another. A connection,for instance, can be a communication medium. For example, if thesoftware is transmitted from a web site, server, or other remote sourceusing a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digitalsubscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio,and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwave areincluded in the definition of communication medium. Combinations of theabove should also be included within the scope of computer-readablemedia.

What has been described above includes examples of one or moreembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable modification and alteration of the above devices ormethodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned aspects, butone of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many furthermodifications and permutations of various aspects are possible.Accordingly, the described aspects are intended to embrace all suchalterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spiritand scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that theterm “includes” is used in either the details description or the claims,such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term“comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as atransitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling functionality of a firstdisplay of a first computational device, comprising: receiving visualfocus information that specifies a particular display from a set ofdisplays in an environment on which a user is visually focused, whereinthe environment comprises at least the first display of the firstcomputational device and a second display of a second computationaldevice viewable by the user; displaying, on the first display, anindication of a property of content displayed on the second display whenthe visual focus information specifies that the user is visually focusedon the first display; and manipulating the property of the contentdisplayed on the second display, the property being manipulated based oninput from the user received via the first display when the visual focusinformation specifies that the user is visually focused on the firstdisplay, wherein a manifestation of the property of the content asmanipulated is displayed on the second display when the visual focusinformation specifies that the user is visually focused on the seconddisplay.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receivingcontextual information, the contextual information specifies that theuser was last interacting with the content on the second display priorto the visual focus of the user switching from the second display;wherein the indication of the property of the content is selectivelydisplayed on the first display as a function of the contextualinformation when the visual focus information specifies that the user isvisually focused on the first display.
 3. The method of claim 2, thecontextual information being based on a location of a point of gaze ofthe user on the second display prior to the visual focus of the userswitching from the second display.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein agranularity of content displayed on the first display changes as afunction of the visual focus information, the granularity of the contenton the first display being more detailed when the visual focusinformation specifies that the user is visually focused on the firstdisplay and less detailed when the visual focus information specifiesthat the user is visually focused off of the first display.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: displaying, on the first display,metadata about the content displayed on the second display when thevisual focus information specifies that the user is visually focused onthe first display.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:displaying, on the first display, a differing view of the contentdisplayed on the second display when the visual focus informationspecifies that the user is visually focused on the first display.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: controlling the first display tobe a peripheral touch-enabled input device for the second computationaldevice when the visual focus information specifies that the user isvisually focused on the second display.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising: detecting the visual focus information.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the visual focus information is detectedusing at least one of eye tracking, head tracking, or movement tracking.10. A computational device, comprising: an integrated touch enableddisplay; at least one processor; and memory that comprisescomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least oneprocessor, cause the at least one processor to perform acts including:displaying, on the integrated touch enabled display, an indication of aproperty of content displayed on a disparate display when visual focusinformation specifies that a user is visually focused on the integratedtouch enabled display, the visual focus information specifies a visualfocus of the user in an environment that comprises at least theintegrated touch enabled display of the computational device and thedisparate display of a disparate computational device viewable by theuser; and manipulating the property of the content displayed on thedisparate display, the property being manipulated based on input fromthe user received via the integrated touch enabled display when thevisual focus information specifies that the user is visually focused onthe integrated touch enabled display, wherein a manifestation of theproperty of the content as manipulated is displayed on the disparatedisplay when the user is visually focused on the disparate display. 11.The computational device of claim 10, the computational device being oneof a smartphone or a tablet computer.
 12. The computational device ofclaim 10, wherein the memory further comprises computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causethe at least one processor to perform acts including: identifying theproperty of the content for displaying on the integrated touch enableddisplay as a function of contextual information, the contextualinformation specifies that the user was last interacting with thecontent on the disparate display prior to the visual focus of the userswitching from the disparate display.
 13. The computational device ofclaim 12, the contextual information being based on a location of apoint of gaze of the user on the disparate display prior to the visualfocus of the user switching from the disparate display.
 14. Thecomputational device of claim 10, wherein the memory further comprisescomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least oneprocessor, cause the at least one processor to perform acts including:detecting the visual focus information of the user.
 15. Thecomputational device of claim 10, wherein the memory further comprisescomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least oneprocessor, cause the at least one processor to perform acts including:controlling a type of input receivable from the user via the integratedtouch enabled display as a function of the visual focus information. 16.The computational device of claim 10, wherein the memory furthercomprises computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the atleast one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform actsincluding: controlling a level of detail of content displayed on theintegrated touch enabled display as a function of the visual focusinformation.
 17. The computational device of claim 10, wherein thecontent displayed on the disparate display comprises a video, andwherein the memory further comprises computer-executable instructionsthat, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at leastone processor to perform acts including: displaying, on the integratedtouch enabled display, a specific frame of the video when the visualfocus information specifies that the user is visually focused on theintegrated touch enabled display.
 18. The computational device of claim10, wherein the indication of the property of the content is displayedas part of a program guide displayed on the integrated touch enableddisplay.
 19. A computational device, comprising: at least one processor;and memory that comprises computer-executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processorto perform acts including: displaying content on a display; receivingdata controlling a property of the content on the display, the propertyof the content being manipulated based on input from a user received viaa differing display of a differing computational device when visualfocus information specifies that the user is visually focused on thediffering display, the visual focus information indicates a visual focusof the user in an environment that comprises at least the display andthe differing display viewable by the user; and displaying the contenton the display with the property controlled based on the data when theuser is visually focused on the display.
 20. The computational device ofclaim 19, further comprising: transmitting contextual information to thediffering computational device, the contextual information specifiesthat the user was last interacting with the content on the display priorto the visual focus of the user switching from the display.